So Mark, if I may summarize: bad kids are the product of bad culture + bad parents. Bad classrooms are the product of budget and equipment shortages.

Any place in your conspiracy for bad teaching being a product of poorly trained, lazy, cynical, stupid, or otherwise incompetent teachers?

I don't discount the factors you mention. But I don't get to pick my students, their parents, or the culture in which I work (unless I want to abandon my 11 yo son and leave the country). I do get to have a huge say in how future elementary teachers from UM-Flint think aboiut doing and teaching math and constructing learning communities in their classrooms in which I'd feel good about my son being a member. Want to rail against the sea or talk about how to divert the water into useful, productive channels? If it's the former, count me out.
Michael Paul Goldenberg
6655 Jackson Rd #136
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734 644-0975 (c)
734 786-8425 (h)
"Oh, bother," said Pooh, as he chambered another round.